I have an aluminum 3 horse goose neck. the brand is Soft Touch by Liberty made in Kansas.
It is 7 yrs old and has some major squeeks in it. Does anybody have any suggestions on what I can do to stop them ?
Posted 2005-07-13 8:46 PM (#28032 - in reply to #28029) Subject: RE: Trailer squeeks
Expert
Posts: 2689
Try isolating it by getting in the trailer and jumping around.
It could be axle / suspension parts.
Have the ramp and doors all closed, it COULD be a ramp or door rubbing against it's frame opening. Also, check the condition of the rubber sealing strips around ramp and door edges, it might become obvious if you have metal to metal contact.
Posted 2005-07-13 9:41 PM (#28035 - in reply to #28029) Subject: RE: Trailer squeeks
Member
Posts: 23
Whether it squeaks empty or not might tell you a lot. Check the entire undercarriage: frame, floor, supports, etc. Use a VERY bright light while you're under there, like 100-150 watts in a reflector (NOT a flashlight!). Look for structural cracks and bent parts, bent floor runs, and so on. Check for loose bolts under there, too. A can of silicone spray can help as a "fault isolator" in some cases--just don't go wild with the stuff all at once or else it won't serve its purpose. KS.
Posted 2005-07-14 9:52 AM (#28048 - in reply to #28029) Subject: RE: Trailer squeeks
Expert
Posts: 1719
Location: PA
Follow the recommendations given but, if you can't find it while not in motion, try hauling it and having someone in the trailer, sans horses!, to see if they can locate the noise. The actual noise shouldn't bother the horses. They get used to things very quickly if we let them. I would be more concerned with a structural problem.
Posted 2005-07-15 8:45 AM (#28103 - in reply to #28029) Subject: RE: Trailer squeeks
Member
Posts: 15
Are you sure it's not the truck?
I also thought it was my GN trailer squeeking until recently watch some guys load my Chevy 3/4 ton truck with hay. With about 20 bales of hay in the bed, every time the guy stepped in with another bale, the truck squeeked!
The problem still isn't solved but at least I know it's not my new trailer!
Posted 2005-07-15 8:58 PM (#28130 - in reply to #28029) Subject: RE: Trailer squeeks
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
Location: CA
I have to grease my gn ball occasionally or it makes a racket! It never seems to bother the horses, but my friends sure know when I'm comin' down the road!
Posted 2005-07-19 6:39 PM (#28280 - in reply to #28029) Subject: RE: Trailer squeeks
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 322
Location: Fort Madison, Iowa
I know this might sound dumb but I'd recommend getting in your trailer empty and having someone drive your trailer with you in it. Just around the block is good enough. Some friends and I were sitting around camp and decided to take a ride in each of our trailers to see and hear what the horses do while they're back there. We noticed something in each trailer. One had poor air flow, another had a terribly noisey middle gate and another a noisey removable tack. It was a good learning experience.